I have written extensively about the Brazilian Blowout here on Hair On The Brain, and the company has always maintained that their product is formaldehyde-free. But now reports from Oregon’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration say Brazilian Blowout has been found to actually contain formaldehyde. This was after stylists at an Oregon hair salon reported difficulty breathing, nosebleeds, and eye irritation after coming into contact with the formula. Brazilian Blowout states that their product is formaldehyde-free and is challenging Oregon OSHA’s test results since the sample didn’t come from the company, but from a salon. So what’s the big deal about formaldehyde in the first place? High levels of formaldehyde could cause some types of cancers…
Check out this super informative report from Good Morning America:
It seems like potential safety issue impacts stylists more because they come in contact with these fumes daily… But still, no one likes to hear that their hair product is potentially harmful! But again, Brazilian Blowout maintains that their product does NOT contain formaldehyde. We will just have to keep an eye on this story as it develops.
Edited to add: I emailed about this formaldehyde issue with Jordana Lorraine who works at Lorraine Colour Bar (formerly Dino-Clark Salon) in Santa Monica, and here is what she had to say on the hot topic:
Brazilian Blowout has a series of statements available on their site, the most recent of which shows a scientist/researcher criticizing the testing methods/results. It has become quite a circus, and I see inconsistencies on both sides. For example, I can see in the videos in two news stories that the bottles were old packaging, not marked formaldehyde-free, called “Brazilian Blowout Solution,” but they are being confused with the current bottles which are labeled “Acai Professional Smoothing Solution,” and do bear a formaldehyde-free claim. It appears no one has tested a legitimately-obtained bottle of the current solution. So, if these findings are correct, maybe the old bottles should be pulled? Maybe BB should manufacture smaller bottles (some other companies offer various sizes.) Whatever unfolds, I am relieved to already be using the air filtration system. (See SaferBrazilian.com.) Another smoothing treatment recommends this system, and I have been very happy with it.
Based on this information, would you still get a Brazilian Blowout?
Wow, this is shocking stuff.
I’ve had my suspicions about same day treatments for a while, but I had no idea stylists were actually reporting serious side effects.
I really don’t want to sound like one of those ‘I told you so’ types, but I’ve been hammering on about this for ages over at my blog.
I happen to live in Brazil at the moment and I work with ahir products, particuarly what we call Escova Progress or Escova Progressiva, which has become a generic term for Keratin treatments over here in the same way Brazilian Blowout has become a cath all name for the treatment elsewhere. Most notably America.
But it’s also worth noting that many salons are offering Brazilian Blowout services, but not actually using the product called Brazilian Blowout.
Phew. Sorry if this is getting confusing.
I’m actually involved in selling Keratin products, but the company I work for – escovaprogress.com – avoids selling any products that contain Formaldehyde, and we’re very upfront about what ingredients are included in the straightening products, shampoos and conditioners we sell.
My advice to anybody not sure of what’s inside the bottle is to ask.
If you’re one of the growing number who decide to buy Keraton treatments online do your homework. Ask for a list of ingredients and check them.
The same goes for salons and if you’re having a Brazilian straightening treatment done professionally. Ask your stylist which product will be used and if they have received any training or are experienced.
Another thing to look out for is a range of chemicals closely related to Formaldehyde, which carry similar health risks. I posted a list of them at my blog http://brazilfabulous.com. It’s too long to attach here but if you’re interested it’s easy to find.
Keratin based products like Escova Progress, or Brazilian Blowout are a great way to keep your hair looking fab, without the usual damage associated with straightening, but you have to be careful.
My advice would be to buy products manufactured in Brazil, where bizarrely enough, the use of Formaldehyde is tightly controlled and banned for use in hair treatments. You might think I’m just hyping one brand over another, but it seem like the US market has gone wild west on this, bottling up any old cocktail of chemicals and getting in stores with no apparent regulation.
Things are much tighter here in Brazil, and none of the available products are permitted to contain anything which might harm users.
One more thing. As a quick rule of thumb. These treatments tend to come in two versions. Some can be washed off almost immediately, while others require you wait a day or more usually two, before washing off the treatment.
Be warned. The same day products are far more likely to contain dangerous chemicals that the two day wait treatments.
Hope that helps everyone. As I said, my blog has more info and I can be contacted there if you have any questions. I’ll also be watching this stream with interest.
Like I said, shocking stuff.
BB
bella blu: thank for the comment, but I would encourage everyone to do their own research!
HEALTH CANADA HAS ISSUED AN IMMEDIATE BAN ON SALONS USING BB: Health Canada is warning that a popular hair-straightening treatment contains dangerous amounts of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. In lab tests, the Brazilian Blowout Solution was found to contain 12 per cent formaldehyde — only 0.2 per cent is permitted in cosmetics. On its website, Brazilian Blowout advertises that all of its products have been tested as “formaldehyde free.” Derek Bodnarchuk, owner of Aru Spa and Salon in White Rock, told ctvbc.ca that the product was heavily marketed as being formaldehyde-free. “That was their competitive advantage,” he said. “It’s alarming for us, because we’re the type of place that’s trying to promote a healthy, natural lifestyle.” The national health agency has received complaints of breathing difficulties, burning eyes, nose and throat, and even one case of hair loss associated with the treatment, which can keep hair straight for months. The agency believes that the reactions are triggering when the solution is heated during blow-drying and flat-ironing. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer when inhaled over a long period of time. Health Canada is now asking hair salons to stop using the Brazilian Blowout Solution immediately, and is advising customers who have suffered adverse effects to contact their doctors. Other Brazilian Blowout products are not affected by the Health Canada warning.
Allyson, Hmm. This is all so strange. Surprised the BB company would lie–and again I worry more for the stylists than for the people getting BBs once ever four months or so any breathing this stuff in briefly because the stylists were breathing this in all day in some cases. I know some salons has special room where the air was filtrated–like Jordana Lorraine had her own air filtered room where she did BBs.
Hi Valerie,
I had this treatment done (once) during the summer, and was quite pleased. However, Health Canada, and their test labs are some of the finest in the world. If their tests say B.B. contains 12% formaldehyde, I believe them.
After I had the treatment done, I stumbled upon this info from QOD of Brazil:
“Notes on Formaldehyde
In the U.S. market there is a great deal of confusion – and far too much false advertising – regarding Brazilian Keratin products and formaldehyde. Any professional stylist considering offering a Brazilian Keratin treatment will take the time and effort to get to the truth about these formulas, their potency and their effectiveness.
The Myth of “Formaldehyde Free”
There are a number of keratin formulas on the market claiming to be “formaldehyde free.” Technically, this may be correct. Many of these “formaldehyde free” products, however, are likely to contain other “aldehydes,” urea, or similar mixes which share the potent characteristics of formaldehyde. Often these compounds convert into a form of raw, unrefined formaldehyde when heated.
Even though QOD Brazilian Keratin formulas do not contain industrially manufactured raw formaldehyde, we choose not to advertise them as “formaldehyde free.” We find this to be a disingenuous marketing gimmick. More importantly, it is potentially harmful. If stylists are comforted with a false sense of confidence, believing that a product is “formaldehyde free,” they may not follow the same stringent safety protocols they would with other powerful salon products. That would be a mistake.
The bottom line is this:
Any formulation that produces a significant volume-reduction in the hair lasting several weeks is a potent salon product. It should always be treated with healthy respect, and handled in compliance with salon safety protocols by licensed hair professionals only.
There are no exceptions to this, and there are no short cuts to achieving the remarkable, long-lasting effects of a Brazilian Keratin treatment. If a product is truly without formaldehyde or any derivatives, its effects will most likely last only until the next washing. A beautiful flat-iron and blow-out with some nice keratin-based conditioner might last for several days and make a client happy – but this service is not a Brazilian Keratin treatment.”
After reading this information, it seems to me that the folks at Brazilian Blowout are attempting to get off on a “technicality.” When they bottle their product, there are only trace amounts of formaldehyde present. That’s why they feel safe in saying it’s “Formaldehyde Free”. Unfortunately, when their solution is heated, the chemical composition changes, and you are left with high amounts of a known toxic substance. Scientific fact.
The Brazilian Blowout organization had better be prepared for some very unflattering press, and perhaps even lawsuits.
Allyson: I will be curious what they have to say about all of this!
No need to be curious, you can see all of their statements right on their website at http://www.brazilianblowout.com/new-press
Start with this one: http://www.brazilianblowout.com/announcements/formaldehyde-free-test-results-released
My stylist used Nano Complex Keratin Gold on me. She didn’t even have to wear gloves. I understand it is the safest product on the market and even ok for pregnant women.
Has anyone else tried Nano Keratin Gold?